Byron Chapman Photo

This Byron Chapman Photo has been recently identified by the Historical arm of the Town of Theresa NY, specifically the Theresa Free Library. From its originally finding decades ago, this picture or photo was misidentified as antique fishing lure maker WD Chapman and his muskie catch off Indian River, in upstate NY. This photo has been used in many displays and even in lure identification books sometimes referred to as the only photo of William Dana, is actually his son Byron. It goes to show as time goes on some new information can become unearthed and discovered, History can be rewritten.

Byron was married to Mary Isabell Simmonds (1857- Unknown), had 2 Children, son Jesse William Chapman (1879 – Unknown) and daughter Mary Alice Chapman (1880 – 1952).

Byron, WD Chapman’s son was involved in the fishing lure & tackle makers business, as we see when it changes name to WD Chapman & Son. Byron or B.W. as he is sometimes referred to as, was also a town supervisor for the town of Theresa for a while. He died very young by todays standard at the age of 45 (1850-1895) from suicide in Rochester NY.

Technically this makes him the second antique fishing lure maker to take his life, coincidentally both in 1895. Harry Comstock, inventor of the Comstock flying Hellgrammite, ingested carbolic acid in 1895 ending his eccentric life. Obviously mental health was taken at a whole different level in the 1800’s than it is today. Sadly, sometimes I dont think the improvements in treating it have changed as much, and definitely mot as much as it should for how far we’ve come medically speaking. You can read the article from 1893 below about his condition. If you’d like to read more  I wrote an article about Byrons fate in: WD Chapman Son’s Suicide

Ive often wondered what affect this would have on WD’s business. The loss of his son’s mental faculties just a few years after the great fire in 1890. The ultimate loss of Byron, while the business was already housed in Rochester may have ultimately lead to the brand being brought in to the Gibson and Woodworth line up, or W.D.’s loss of conviction for the fishing lure industry. So many hypotheses and rabbit holes one can think about I’m not sure history will ever tell us all the stories.

Byron Chapman a Lunatic

Byron W. Chapman, ex supervisor of Theresa, and one of the most prominent men of town, has become a lunatic, and has been committed by Judge Emerson to the St Lawrence hospital at Ogdensburg. Chapman is 43 years of age and has a wife and two children. He was a member of the firm W.D Chapman and Son, dealers in fishing tackle.

Byron Chapman Photo